LYNNWOOD, WA -- Facing complaints from parents that a 1970s anti-gambling ordinance is choking the redemption fun at Chuck E. Cheese's, city council members here tried to modify that regulation with an amusement exemption on Oct. 2.

The council's majority vote in favor of the exemption was overridden by a veto from Mayor Don Gough, who said the public needed more opportunities to express its views on the question before the city acted.

Lynnwood's current gambling ordinance forbids risk-reward machines to issue more than four tickets per play, regardless of how many points a player may score on a given machine.

According to local news sources, councilwoman Kerri Lonergan Dreke called the stringent rules "silly" and said the city should amend its gambling regulations with an exemption for amusement machines to prevent parents from patronizing Chuck E. Cheese's locations in nearby jurisdictions. | SEE STORY

As is well known by FEC operators nationwide, millions of children derive much of their enjoyment from playing redemption games by winning fists full of tickets. Aside from any possible prize the tickets may purchase, winning lots of tickets symbolizes victory and achievement to many players.